More Techie's Tool Box Videos Coming Up!

I have been getting numerous requests via our Facebook page asking when more "Techie's Toolbox" videos were going to drop on the YouTube Channel again...  

My response is officially, 'Coming Soon!  Very Soon!'. 

A little background on the 'Tool Box' videos: I started posting a couple videos highlighting tools and free/cheap software that can be a valuable asset to those in the IT field.  It doesn't matter if you are only repairing friend's or family computers in your spare time.  Or if you are a field technician needing a few more flexible options in your tool kit.

After making a couple of these videos, the response was somewhat small, and people seemed to want help with more Linux/Ubuntu based issues.  So we spun several series of videos based on Linux and Ubuntu.

Unfortunately, life has been pretty busy for a while and my attention had to shift off of the website and videos for a little while.  Now I'm shifting gears in my spare time and trying to start contributing again.  So hang on tight, we've got more good stuff up our sleeves.

Here is what I need to ask from my loyal readers/viewers: FEEDBACK.

I need to know what you folks would like me to cover?  Want help finding the proper tools to analyze hard disk space, cloud backup/storage services, backup solutions, antivirus support, remote support, etc.  Drop a line in the comments section below or swing by our Facebook page and leave a suggestion.  If you drop a suggestion, be sure to leave a username and I'll give you a shout out in the video.

Drop by our Facebook Page and leave a comment at: TechieSmarts on Facebook

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Launching New Weekly Video Series!

Later today we will be launching a new weekly video series entitled: "TechieSmarts Tech ToolBox"!  And it is exactly as it sounds!  I receive emails all the time asking for recommendations for tools, software, etc.  Some people ask what I prefer to use for certain circumstances or computer issues.  So what better way to answer that question, than to just discuss it?



So with the following goals in mind:
#1- Offer reliable and valid information pertaining to various pieces of software (most open source) that I use.
#2- Help other people discover the "magic behind the curtain" per say.
#3- Let my readers and viewers help me learn their favorite tools!

As you can see this will be a two way street.  As I hope to provide you (my loyal watchers/readers) with meaningful information on how to get things done; I also hope to better understand some of the things you guys like to use too.  So please, do me a favor and leave some comments suggesting tools you use or questions on things I use and I will incorporate those into the weekly episodes.  If you don't want to leave a public comment, feel free to email me at: help_me@techie.com

As a perk to our followers on the YouTube Channel each new episode will be posted there first for viewing.  After a day or two the video will become available here on our website as well.  So if you want to stay up to speed be sure to subscribe to the YouTube Channel or our website's RSS Feed!  When new videos go live we will send out a Tweet about it!

Look for the first episode to arrive today around 3:00p! @ TechieSmarts on YouTube

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APB: Reloaded Has A Live Action Trailer

Remember a title from a while back that took the media by storm as a massively multiplayer game in the same vein as Grand Theft Auto.  This game was titled: "APB: All Points Bulletin".  Initially this game was released on the PC and the devs where considering a console version.  The game was short lived though due to faults of it's own merits (from gameplay to game modes disappoints were huge).  The game just couldn't deliver what fans and industry watchers had hoped it would.  In short, the game launched in June 2010 and closed down in September 2010.  Yep, short lived alright.

After bouncing around in limbo for a little while, GamersFirst picked it up and it was released by Reloaded Productions.  If you aren't familiar with GamersFirst they are a MMO gaming company that carves their business into the Free-to-Play market of MMO titles.  Titles under their label include: War Rock, Knight Online, Taikodom, Sword 2, and most recently Fallen Earth (out of which I can personally attest that War Rock and Fallen Earth are great games). With this new development in the game's brief lifespan there was hope once more.

The game went into Open Beta in May 2011 under the title: "APB: Reloaded".  One of the big positives this game has going for it is character customization.  This was one of the few things it's original incarnation did right.  And hopefully it will roll over to this version as well.  So with the news that the game is finally making it's way back to life, GamersFirst has rolled out a Live Action Trailer.  Honestly, I love watching these Live Action Trailers.  Sometimes they suck, sometimes they are awesome.  Really it's a crap shoot and one I have no way of being able to predict prior to watching it.  This trailer is pretty unique in that it shows the different character customizations in a live action form.  And it is an interesting trailer (so it definitely doesn't suck).

However, it is not for the faint of heart and should be for mature audiences only as it depicts scenes of graphic violence.  It is kind of ironic that this trailer rolls out so close to the release of 'Saints Row: The Third', don't you think?




If you're interested in checking out the game swing by their website:http://www.gamersfirst.com/apb/?fbid=wmjBHrVWu3DAnd if you'd like to see other games from GamersFirst visit:http://www.gamersfirst.com/

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Microsoft Completes Skype BuyOut

Back in May, Microsoft announced that it would be working with Skype in attempt to complete an acquisition of the VOIP software company.  I remember the day when you had a bunch of different companies all offering the products and software to their users and customers.  Nowadays it seems like the better concepts/business a company has going for it; there is always a much bigger company ready to snatch it up and either close it down or integrate it into their existing offerings.

I guess this business concept is becoming more the way of the world in this changed economy we all live in now.  Sometimes it's for the better.  And sometimes it is for the worse.  In this case, we can only hope that Microsoft stands by Skype and anything that becomes changed will hopefully be considered an improvement.  As we all know, not everyone loves the idea of change.  And anything drastic may  cause a big dip in the number of user's using a product.  No matter how good it once was.  It will be interesting to watch and see where 'The Big M' and Skype go from here.

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More New Content!

Since September has come and (just about gone with only hours left of it).  I wanted to announce that next week we will launch a weekly video feature that will be a short review of alternative (open source) software that can be used in place of commercial offerings.  With a new month will come new things!

Our focus will be what is it, how to get access to the software being reviewed, and what the major differences are between it and it's commercial counterpart, and whether or not it's worth making the switch.  If you have an application you'd like to see covered be sure to leave us a comment!

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Windows Scripting with AutoIt

Most techie/geeky people out there have probably heard of writing scripts to automate certain windows tasks. This can be accomplished by any number of ways. However, a simple way to acomplish this goal is to use 'AutoIt'.

What is 'AutoIt'. The answer is simple. 'AutoIt' is a free scripting language that is specifically designed to automate everyday tasks. I recently wrote a quick and simple script that basically allowed my FTP client to open, log in to my webserver, and go into a ready state with a double click of a custom icon. Did it work; yes. Was it pretty easy; yes.

To get started, drop by their website at: http://www.autoitscript.com. Their site has all of the necessary tools to get you up and running in no time. I highly recommend pulling down a copy of Scite for script editing, and have a blast. After tinkering with it for a short period of time, I'm sure you'll be creating automated scripts in no time.


Enjoy!

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